John Riddell: Democracy in Lenin's Comintern

How did Communist parties handle issues of internal discipline and democracy in Lenin’s time? The recent intense discussion within the British Socialist Workers’ Party (SWP) and beyond has heard claims that the SWP rests on the traditions of democratic centralism inherited from the Bolsheviks.

Richard Atkinson: Death and the Bedroom Tax

Some extended thoughts about Stephanie Bottrill, the woman who committed suicide because of the bedroom tax.

Dave Renton: Who Was Blair Peach?

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the killing of Blair Peach by the police. David Renton looks back at Blair Peach’s life as a poet, trade unionist and committed antifascist

Financial Appeal

A group of working mothers from Darlington in the north east of England are organising a 300-mile march for the NHS following in the footsteps of the historic Jarrow March of the 1930s.

The People’s March, launched on Mother’s Day 2014, which already has more than 500 participants signed up, will cover about 300 miles from Jarrow to Westminster. It is a grassroots, non-party-affiliated initiative, and the organisers hope that it will be one of the biggest mobilisations of people across England in defence of the NHS. From modest beginnings, the #darlomums have won the support of the GMB union and NHS campaigning groups nationally, such as Keep Our NHS Public.

They are planning the march to start on 16 August and arrive in London on 6 September.